OXFORD United supporters questioning whether Karl Robinson has the ‘wow’ factor have an ally – in the man himself.
An exhausting 59-day wait to discover Pep Clotet’s replacement was ended yesterday with the Scouser’s unveiling, hours after his departure from Charlton Athletic had been announced.
Robinson had been the front-runner for a fortnight in a process which had seen a host of names linked with the post.
The pressure was on whoever took over following U’s owner Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth’s assertion last week that the new man would have a real ‘wow’ factor.
But Robinson was quick to play down the tag, stressing it will take time for the full effect of his appointment to become clear.
“I’m not a ‘wow’, far from it,” he said. “Nobody is worth waiting for for too long and I’m certainly not Houdini.
“I’m not someone who will come in, click his fingers and produce a magic act that all of sudden everything is all right.
“Sometimes when a new manager comes in they get three or four good results and everyone thinks ‘that’s done’.
“But that’s the wrong way round – there’s got to be slow growth.
“There are lots of little things that we’ll work hard to build, which takes a lot longer than coming in, smashing the ball forward and winning a few headers.
“I’m certainly not wow, but I’m here to do my best.”
Robinson will meet the U’s squad for the first time this morning as they step up preparations for the televised trip to Portsmouth on Sunday.
His first aim is to secure the club’s Sky Bet League One status as quickly as possible in the final ten games.
But there is a desire to look further ahead from a manager who won promotion to the Championship with Milton Keynes Dons in 2015.
Thankarnjanasuth was in Thailand for the conclusion of the recruitment process, but the U’s chairman has made a big impact.
Robinson said: “He’s very passionate about his adventure now.
“He’s very likeable, the instant you meet him you’re happy. He loves football and has been very clear with me.
“If we all stick to our word, me included, we’ll be successful. We have to have a plan.
“The people in charge before him have also been great.
“It’s a very good, solid place to work and that is something fans should be extremely proud of.
“I’m really excited.”
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